L’Renee Detroit is the newest face of Kemistry Records, the record label owned by soulful crooner and fellow Detroit resident, Kem. This interview, months after our first, gave the Mafietta Movement a first hand view of a woman living her dreams. Let’s take a moment and go to Europe with L’Renee Detroit.

***

Months ago I had the privilege to interview, L’Renee. I was drawn to the soulful sounds that came from somewhere so deep within her being – that it resonated in mine. I had to interview this woman, because finding the driving force for a talent like this could help me and so many others looking to live their dreams.

Quite naturally, I was super excited to hear this “force” was coming to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. I reached out to L’Renee and the rest is history. Meeting Ms. Detroit and hearing more about her story was another testament to hard work, dedication, and its payoff.

In a time where new music is only as far away as your i-Pod or Facebook feed, it is all the more refreshing to hear a new voice that draws you back to it, time and time again. L’Renee is such an artist. An October 2014 article on HipHopDetroit.com explains Kem’s decision to sign this impressive songstress.

“Running a record label was not something I had interest in, and I had no intention of signing anyone to Kemistry Records…until I met L Renee,” said KEM. “She has one of those special voices, and has an abundance of natural talent and ability as an R&B vocalist. She has the talent to become one of the best female R&B singers of our time. I believe in her so much that I added her first single, “Don’t Say Goodbye,” to the Deluxe edition of my newest album, PROMISE TO LOVE.” (Read the full article here.)

In four short years, she has moved from side of the stage to commanding a place of her own.

Her journey is an inspiration to women stuck between their dreams and accepting a career. L’Renee Detroit once studied to be an architect despite her yearnings to sing. However, she could not escape the stirrings of her soul and returned to her first love.

When I asked L’Renee Detroit what advice she could offer someone trying to live their dreams, she responded:

You are going to hear the word, no. The thing is, you have to learn to not let it bother you. Use it as a tool to learn and do whatever you need to, to make yourself better.

We certainly discussed her successes, but this humble artist was not afraid to speak to the opposite, either. L’Renee discussed her recent rejection from NBC’s, The Voice. While I was in awe of, what seemed to me, such horrific news; L’Renee responded with a calm countenance and very focused words that ultimately explained just how she’d gotten so far. She refused to look at the experience as a bad one, instead she understood it to be a chance to learn and grow. Instead of being stuck in disappointment, L’Renee Detroit continues to hone her craft and celebrate her gift. This is why we honor her journey and send love and light her way. (Check out her cover to Sarah McLachlan’s Angel.)

This is what being “Mafietta” is all about. Hats off to you L’Renee. Best Wishes in All You Do!!!!

To speak to L’Renee Detroit is to truly speak to a sweet spirit. Not only does she have an amazing voice, she has a remarkable personality. Whether you’ve heard one of her covers online or heard her singing background for the soulful, Kem – you have to give this young lady her props.

Photo Credit

From the beginning, L’Renee has been true to her craft. She remembers her earliest performance being a solo in Kindergarten. However humble this beginning, L’Renee has used her voice to propel her to bigger and better. Months after entering a talent competition, she received the phone call that would give her an even larger platform on which to share her gift. She was asked to audition for Kem and despite being sick as a dog at the time, she persevered to and through the audition and it, “made all the difference.”

Photo Credit

While L’Renee describes herself as a, “work in progress,” her humble spirit and love for good music will take her far – not to mention having a great boss. She sees her gift as a way to express herself and relate to other people and enjoys being mentored by someone who pushes her forward.

When asked what it’s like to work with one of Detroit’s most prominent singer/songwriter/producer’s, she responded, “It is amazing to have someone believe in me enough to allow me to grow as a performer. He believes in me and challenges me to do things I would never do on my own.” After being encouraged to sing Jennifer Holiday’s, “I’m Telling You,” at one of Kem’s latest concerts, L’Renee says, “I am so glad he pushed me, we nailed it.”

In time L’Renee would like to branch out and pursue other avenues of performance art, but for now – she just likes singing good music. “I like to make people feel good. If someone can hear my music and feel better about their day or their circumstance, I’ve done what I set out to do.”

L’Renee is also quite the community servant. Her non-profit organization, “Girl Power” is the vehicle she uses to instill confidence in a number of Detroit’s young ladies. Her goal is to arm them with the confidence to see that they can be themselves and succeed despite the world they see around them. She teaches them, “If you have a goal and it’s not hurting anyone or impeding anyone else’s success – go for it. Whatever you’re doing, don’t give up!” She believes in the importance of volunteerism and wants the masses to see the great potential Detroit has to offer despite its current reputation.

This was really a great book. I loved that it was about family and family was always first. I loved how the characters felt like real people that u might no. She held him down and wasn’t looking to be in the game forever and was building a foundation so they could eventually stop. There love was so real to me. Thanks for making this book so realistic and entertaining. Can’t wait for 2.

This was my first book by E.W. Brooks, and definitely wont be my last. Clark honey was that b***h….I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Blake Karrington, keep putting out these hitta’s…Ive enjoyed all books from BKP so far….Great Job E.W. Brooks!!!!!